How long until first appointment?

[bitter42 23]

Hi all. This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for about a month and have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your experiences--I've learned so much.

Anyway, my question is- how long does it take to get the first appointment with your surgeon on average?

I went to the educational seminar on 3/12 where I was given a packet to fill out, which included family history, insurance info, etc. I've pre qualified with my insurance company. I sent my packet in 10 days ago. I wasn't sure if the surgeon's office usually calls to make an appointment or if I should call them? I don't want to pester anyone, but I don't want to delay anything if the ball should be in MY court.

FYI, I'm going to Mount Carmel West in Columbus, OH. Anyone else? I THINK I'm more interested in the sleeve, but am open to surgeon suggestions.

Thanks a lot, and I look forward to sharing my journey with you all.

[KristinaRnY 455]

It depends entirely on your surgeon and insurance requirements! My program was 12 months long and that's when I finally met my surgeon and had surgery 3 months later. I have one of the longest requirements as my insurance pays 100% of everything, I didn't even pay a copay. The best person to ask would be someone in your program with your insurance. Do you have a case manager? They would be a good person to ask. I've seen people have surgery as soon as 1-4 months after the initial visit.

Edited March 28, 2014 by KristinaRnY

[xChdx 15]

I submitted my patient packet in early March, received an email about week or so later saying it could take up to 4 weeks to be reviewed. So I guess I just have to play the waiting game now. Of course I'm sure this kind of thing varies considerably from surgeon to surgeon, so your mileage may vary.

[ready2getgoing 41]

Hi all. This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for about a month and have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your experiences--I've learned so much.

Anyway, my question is- how long does it take to get the first appointment with your surgeon on average?

I went to the educational seminar on 3/12 where I was given a packet to fill out, which included family history, insurance info, etc. I've pre qualified with my insurance company. I sent my packet in 10 days ago. I wasn't sure if the surgeon's office usually calls to make an appointment or if I should call them? I don't want to pester anyone, but I don't want to delay anything if the ball should be in MY court.

FYI, I'm going to Mount Carmel West in Columbus, OH. Anyone else? I THINK I'm more interested in the sleeve, but am open to surgeon suggestions.

Thanks a lot, and I look forward to sharing my journey with you all.

I would not worry about "pestering" anyone, they are there to help you understand the process and work with you to get through it. I know this is health care but remember you are their customer.

In my case I called to make an appointment and met the next week with the surgeon and the program coordinator. I left that first meeting with a timeline leading up to a surgery date and a set of appointments for all of the consultations I would need.

[Bandista 7,466]

I started my research in June and had to attend a mandatory info session that didn't take place until August -- a meeting with the program coordinator, nutritionist, psych eval, then finally the surgeon. Then one more meeting with the nutritionist to go over pre-op diet and I had my surgery in November. Will be different for every program but that may give you an idea. I felt very impatient but ultimately I think the extra time was good for me to read every post here, do some therapy, step up my exercise, etc. Good luck to you!

[cccv4 85]

I agree with others. It seems to vary from each case, due to insurance. Some insurance is can make this the one year process. I started looking into information around December and finally got an appointment and a referral from my doctor to go to a seminar. It was interesting because my first appointment was at my actual surgeon in January. I was approved 2 weeks ago and will be having surgery over spring break. my process was pretty fast and they said that is very typical for the type of insurance I have. They are paying 80%.

[jujubslim 95]

It really depends on your dr. Took me a week to get in after my info session. Almost 3 months to the day I had surgery

[terrydumont46 1,954]

This won't be the first time you will pester someone at your doctor's office. I would call. even if its to get just a time table. but you will need to start being a bit more assertive. you will be using and calling this doctors office often as you go through the phases of recovery from surgery. good luck

Hi all. This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for about a month and have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your experiences--I've learned so much.

Anyway, my question is- how long does it take to get the first appointment with your surgeon on average?

I went to the educational seminar on 3/12 where I was given a packet to fill out, which included family history, insurance info, etc. I've pre qualified with my insurance company. I sent my packet in 10 days ago. I wasn't sure if the surgeon's office usually calls to make an appointment or if I should call them? I don't want to pester anyone, but I don't want to delay anything if the ball should be in MY court.

FYI, I'm going to Mount Carmel West in Columbus, OH. Anyone else? I THINK I'm more interested in the sleeve, but am open to surgeon suggestions.

Thanks a lot, and I look forward to sharing my journey with you all.

[SugarFreeMe 293]

Directly after our seminar we were given packets but told we could make our initial appts. right then and there. I'm guessing that 90% of the participants were there on referral from their PCP so we were probably all candidates therefore the packet information was for records only. The only thing they asked was that prior to the appt. we called and confirmed with our insurance that the procedure was covered.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

I met the surgeon two days after the orientation seminar. In those two days, the coordinator checked the insurance and found out their protocol.

[Pepper123 320]

My endo..doc gave me the info i signed up on line for the seminar…i called the next day and make an appt to see the doctor…since i work full time i had to schedule it around my work…a week and a half…i did also call my insurance just to make sure they cover Bariatrics...

[bitter42 23]

I called the surgical office this morning and the lady said that they review packets, then send a letter to applicants on whether they qualify or not.

She said that they are often behind around this time of year because if surgeons going on vacation.

NOW, here's my worry. I checked that I wanted the lapband in my packet, but have done a lot of soul searching and am pretty sure i want the sleeve. I have a high BMI (53) and know a lot of surgeons don't want to do it on super obese. I hope they don't exclude me because of my initial choice when I'm open to another type of surgery.

:-(

I'm SO ready to do this for me and my family!

[ready2getgoing 41]

I would not worry about ckecking Band vs. Sleeve at this point.

When I went in for my first meeting I was thinking Bypass only because my wife has a Band and I've seen the problems she has sometimes had and I didn't like the thought of something being left inside me! I really didn't know much abot the Sleeve.

When I met with the surgeon we dicussed all of the types of surgery, which would be best for me based on weight, lifestyle, expectations, medical historys, etc. and settled on the Sleeve.

When you checked the little box on the form I am sure you didn't know everything you could about all of the surgery types - I would not expect them to think that you did.

Edited April 1, 2014 by ready2getgoing